Fortified rice to be distributed under government schemes

• The Union Cabinet approved a scheme to distribute fortified rice through government programs in three phases on Friday, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.

• Following the Cabinet meeting, Thakur told the media that fortified rice is being distributed in the first phase under the ICDS and PM Poshan programs.

• By March 2023, the second phase will include a targeted public distribution system (TPDS) and other welfare schemes in all aspirational and high-burden stunting districts.

• By March 2024, all remaining districts will be covered in the final phase.

• The central government would bear the entire cost of rice fortification, which would be approximately Rs 2,700 crore per year.